The visa policy of South Africa is how the South African government determines who may and may not enter South Africa. Visitors to South Africa must obtain a visa from one of the South African diplomatic missions unless they come from one of the visa-exempt countries, in which case they get a "Port of Entry Visa". Visitors who require a visa must apply in person and provide biometric data.[1]
All visitors must hold a passport that is valid for 1 month after departure and with one blank page (two if a visa is required).[2]
The South African Government launched an e-Visa system, initially for 14 nationalities in February 2022.[3][4]
Visa policy map
Visa exemption
Nationals of the following countries can enter South Africa without a visa:[5][6]
90 days
Citizens of the following countries / territories who hold valid national passports are allowed to stay in South Africa for up to 90 days without a visa:[7]
1 - Visa exemption applies to holders of ordinary passports only.
2 - The maximum stay is 90 days per year for ordinary passport holders; this limit does not apply to non-ordinary passport holders.
3 - The maximum stay is 90 days per year for all passport holders.
30 days
Citizens of the following countries / territories who hold valid national passports are not required to obtain South African visas for visits of up to 30 days:
1 - Visa exemption applies to holders of ordinary passports only.
2 - The maximum stay is 90 days per year for ordinary passport holders; this limit does not apply to non-ordinary passport holders.
| Date of visa changes |
|---|
Visa free:
Cancelled: |
Non-ordinary passports
Citizens who are holders of diplomatic, official or service passports of the following countries do not require visas for visits of the indicated period and transit for up to 90 days (unless otherwise noted):
1 - 120 days
2 - 30 days
Visa exemption agreement was signed with Mali but not yet ratified.[18]
Electronic Visa (e-Visa)
Citizens of the following countries/territories who hold valid national passports may apply for e-Visa online provided they will land at O. R. Tambo International Airport:[19]
1 - Already exempt from visa requirement.
Eligible international organizations
Individuals holding the following travel documents are not required to obtain South African visas for visits of 90 days or less:
- African Union laissez-passer
- Southern African Development Community (SADC) laissez-passer: Staff members of SADC who travel on SADC laissez-passer are exempt from visa requirements for bona fide official business visits of 90 days or less and transit.
- United Nations laissez-passer
- Interpol Passport Holders
Visa types
Visas issued by South Africa are for:[20]
- Tourism or visits to family or friends
- Medical treatment
- Working in the entertainment industry
- Attending a conference
- Treaty conditions compliance
- Maritime crew
- Cultural, economic and social exchange programmes
- Transit
Temporary residence visas issued by South Africa are:[21]
- Business visas
- Work visas
- Quota work visas
- General work visas
- Critical skills work visa
- Intra-company Transfer Work visa
- Corporate visas
- Study visas
- Exchange visas
- Retired persons' visa
- Relatives' visa
- Medical Treatment visa
Overstay consequences
It is a departure of a foreigner from South Africa on an expired visa that triggers an overstay.[22]
A foreigner who remains in South Africa beyond the expiry of his/her visa and has not applied for a valid status is an illegal foreigner in terms of the South African Immigration Act.[23]
An overstayer will upon departure be declared an undesirable person in terms of section 30(1)(f) of the Immigration Act.
- A foreigner who has overstayed less than 30 days the validity of his/her visa will be declared an undesirable person and banned for a period of 1 year.
- A foreigner who has overstayed more than 30 days the validity of his/her visa will be declared an undesirable person and banned for a period of 5 years.
- A foreigner who overstayed twice in a period of 24 months (repeat offenders) will be declared an undesirable person and banned for a period of 2 years.
The ban does not simply expire over time and the restrictions placed against the foreigner need to be removed and/or the undesirability uplifted. An undesirable person does not do not qualify for a port of entry visa, visa, admission into the Republic or a permanent residence permit.
Visitor statistics
Most visitors arriving to South Africa were from the following countries of nationality:[24][25]
| Country | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Zimbabwe | 2,258,794 | 2,208,930 | 2,039,932 | 2,028,881 | 1,900,791 | 2,143,716 |
 Lesotho | 1,563,448 | 1,739,188 | 1,747,211 | 1,757,058 | 1,394,913 | 1,501,642 |
 Mozambique | 1,333,195 | 1,360,896 | 1,339,245 | 1,268,258 | 1,200,335 | 1,283,016 |
 Eswatini | 917,631 | 883,735 | 876,992 | 893,618 | 835,006 | 918,490 |
 Botswana | 668,315 | 688,566 | 681,379 | 679,828 | 593,514 | 555,590 |
 United Kingdom | 436,559 | 430,708 | 447,901 | 447,840 | 407,486 | 401,914 |
 United States | 373,694 | 376,892 | 370,747 | 345,013 | 297,226 | 309,255 |
 Germany | 322,720 | 343,229 | 349,211 | 311,832 | 256,646 | 274,571 |
 Malawi | 199,079 | 197,317 | 175,014 | 154,017 | 135,260 | 166,964 |
 Namibia | 184,431 | 200,367 | 208,747 | 214,664 | 212,514 | 211,453 |
| Total | 10,228,593 | 10,472,105 | 10,285,197 | 10,044,163 | 8,903,773 | 9,549,236 |
See also
